Aratech Military Speeder Bike Prototype

The Aratech Military Speeder Bike Prototype was a craft used by the Rebel Alliance. The craft's agility and acceleration was superior to that of landspeeders and airspeeders. Its armaments included a concussion missile launcher. The Rebels used the Aratech speeder bikes for scouting during the Battle of Endor^[1] in 4 ABY.^[2]

Behind the scenes

The Aratech Military Speeder Bike Prototype was originally a piece of concept art by Joe Johnston for Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.^[3] Concept art of the vehicle appeared in the The Star Wars Sourcebook, Second Edition where it was referred to as a model from the SoroSuub Corporation.^[4]

It was later turned into a vehicle by Hasbro as part of its Expanded Universe line of toys in 1998, where it was also referred to as simply "Prototype Speeder Bike," where it was said to be built by Aratech. It included an exclusive Rebel speeder bike pilot action figure.^[1] The speeder bike made a live action appearance in a commercial for various Expanded Universe vehicles, which portrayed the bike and its pilot on Endor being pursued by Imperial scout troopers on speeder bikes.^[5]

The short comic story "Sand Blasted" from Star Wars Tales 4 includes a "swoop" piloted by Spiker that matches the design and colors of this speeder bike.^[6]